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| The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah presents a jacket Pandelela Rinong. Looking on are Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (second from right) and National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong, during the National Sports Award ceremony at the Palace of Golden Horses yesterday. Pic by Yazit Razali |
NATIONAL diver Pandelela Rinong edged a strong field to be named 2011 Sportswoman of the Year, while Lee Chong Wei bagged his third Sportsman of the Year title at the National Sports Award ceremony at the Palace of Golden Horses, Seri Kembangan yesterday.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah presented the awards to the winners. Also present were Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Pandelela had an outstanding campaign on the world stage last year, taking a silver medal in the 10m platform individual event at the Moscow leg of the Diving World Series in March.
She teamed up with Leong Mun Yee to capture bronze in the 10m platform synchronised at the Beijing leg of the series a week later.
"I'm very happy to win this award for the first time. This will inspire me for the Olympics. I'm grateful to the judges for choosing me," said Pandelela.
Pandelela also excelled at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China where she bagged silver in the 10m platform individual as well as bronze in the 10m platform synchronised, also with Mun Yee, last August.
The 19-year-old, who is from Sarawak, closed out her year by taking the gold medal in the 10m platform event at the Indonesia Sea Games last November.
Yesterday, Pandelela edged squash's much favoured Nicol David, who took her sixth World Open title last year, and bowling World Champion Jacqueline Jenelee Sijore to the title.
Also nominated for the award were double Sea Games gold medallist Nur Suryani Taibi (shooting), cyclist Fatehah Mustapha and wushu exponent Chan Fong Ying.
Chong Wei also had a strong 2011, winning seven titles which included the All England and Korea Open BWF Super Series Premier events.
The national shuttler was not present at the awards ceremony. His brother, Lee Chong Hoon, accepted his award on his behalf.
The 30-year-old national shuttler had beaten bowler Adrian Ang, who won four gold medals at the Indonesia Sea Games, and diver Bryan Nickson Lomas, who won a fourth straight platform individual gold medal, also at the Sea Games.
Also nominated for this year's award were archer Cheng Chu Sian, karate exponent Leong Tze Wai and bodybuilder Sazali Samad.
Both Pandelela and Chong Wei received RM20,000 each for their award which is a 100 per cent increase from last year.
National track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang and Nicol had won the awards last year.
Roll of honour
Sportsman of the Year: Lee Chong Wei.
Sportswoman of the Year: Pandelela Rinong.
Men's Team of the Year: National archery team.
Women's Team of the Year: National synchronised swimming team.
Men's Coach of the Year: Syed Mohd Hussaini Syed Mazlan (cycling).
Women's Coach of the Year: Rosmiza Abu Bakar (gymrama).
Paralympic Sportsman of the Year: The late Muhamad Salam Sidik (archery).
Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year: Hemala Devi Eni Kutty (athletics).
Special Award: Shaharudin Jaffar (cycling).
Sports Leadership Award: Datuk Seri Kee Yong Wee.
Read more: SPORTCHECK: Chong Wei, Pandelela honoured - Other - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/sports/other/sportcheck-chong-wei-pandelela-honoured-1.75166#ixzz1sMxHQZBt
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